Football

The Early Signing Period is just over 24 hours away, but the Florida Gators have already added a major piece they hope will be eligible to play for them in 2018.

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Van Jefferson, a former four-star prospect who has been playing for the Ole Miss Rebels, announced Monday night he will be transferring to Florida.

Jefferson, the No. 106 player in the nation in the Class of 2015 (per the 247Sports Composite), has averaged 11 yards per reception in two years as an active player with Ole Miss, hauling in four total touchdowns.

As an undergraduate transfer, Jefferson must seek a waiver from the NCAA in order to avoid sitting out a full season as normally mandated. These waivers are not normally granted without good reason — such as family needs — though it is expected that the NCAA will be lenient with such requests in this circumstance considering the NCAA violations and other issues surrounding the Rebels program.

With Antonio Callaway off to the NFL and none of Florida’s receivers outside of sophomore Tyrie Cleveland truly standing out last season, the Gators need an influx of talent at the position. Jefferson would likely be able to play meaningful snaps off the bat as long as he is cleared to play by the NCAA.

Jefferson is the second addition for head coach Dan Mullen in as many days after three-star defensive back John Huggins (Daytona Beach, FL) committed to Florida on Sunday. Huggins (6-foot, 200 pounds), a former Florida State pledge, projects as a safety (though he might get an opportunity at cornerback) and committed to defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.

Following a bevy of decommitments, the Gators’ recruiting class stands at 32nd nationally. Florida is hoping to build some momentum through the Early Signing Period and has its sights set on four-star quarterback Emory Jones (Franklin, GA), an Ohio State commit who visited UF on Saturday.

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